For the last week, first graders have been practicing breaking down single digit numbers into their parts in order to become more familiar with these numbers, increasing their number sense. We have used picture representations, number stories, number bonds, addition sentences and more. This week, we have been working on breaking down a very important number – 10!
Students need to be confident in making 10 because it is the foundation for nearly all math skills to come. Mastering combinations that add up to 10 helps them develop mental math skills, making it easier to tackle more complex math problems later. It also enhances their number sense, allowing them to recognize patterns and relationships between numbers, which is essential for future math concepts like place value, regrouping, and problem-solving.
To practice making 10, we have been using the same strategies as we used with breaking down single digit numbers, as well as using music, art and hands-on practice. Each day, we have been listening and singing along to Jack Hartmann’s I Can Say My Number Pairs. We love this one because as the song goes on, it gets a little faster and a little faster!
We have been using a very helpful and easily-accessible resource to help us figure out the number pairs that make 10! You guessed it – our fingers! By the end of our practice, our goal is for first graders to be able to fluently recite the number pairs that make 10. While they are still solidifying that knowledge, it is sometimes helpful to have a resource in order to solve a making 10 problem. We have practiced putting down a certain number of fingers and counting how many are still up in order to determine the number pair that makes 10. For example, a student trying to figure out what goes with 4 to make 10 would hold up all 10 fingers, put down 4 of them, and count the remaining fingers to determine that 6 is the number that goes with 4 to make 10.
To practice representing tens with a variety of methods, first graders have been creating some art projects to display! On Tuesday, we created hamburgers with a ten on each ingredient, focusing on using addition sentences. After finishing their hamburger project, they got to do something special – get the computers out to listen to some songs about making tens! On Thursday, we created ice cream cones using some addition sentences along with other ways to show ten such as ten frames, tallies, fingers and subtraction sentences on each scoop! First graders have also been exploring 10s during their stations, working with partners for a dice game and using a special tool (highlighters!) to search for pairs to make ten.
